‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Hudson Williams Reveals He’s Heard From Closeted LGBTQ+ Athletes on Instagram

Hudson Williams, the Canadian actor who skyrocketed to stardom following the release of the celebrated gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry, revealed that he’s heard from closeted athletes.

In a preview clip from the 24-year-old actor’s upcoming Thursday, January 8, appearance on Andy Cohen Live, Williams said people “reach out somewhat anonymously” and “are like, ‘I’m a professional player still, and I’m still in the closet.’”

Host Andy Cohen then asked Williams to confirm he’s heard from “closeted players,” to which the actor replied, “Yes,” adding that hockey players, football players, basketball players and more have all contacted members of the cast or creative team.

“They’re reaching out to Rachel [Reid], our author, who will then kind of relay these lovely anonymous emails,” Williams continued. “And sometimes they’re just reaching out privately through Instagram, and those ones are the ones that really just kind of hit you and go, ‘Oh, so this is a fun show, and it’s celebratory, but also sometimes it’s just hitting people right in the nerve.’”

Williams plays Shane Hollander opposite Connor Storrie’s Ilya Rozanov in the gay romance, which follows their relationship over the course of many years as they play for rival hockey teams.

Based on author Reid’s Game Changers novel series, the first season of Heated Rivalry premiered on Crave in November 2025 and was picked up by HBO Max, where it became a viral sensation.

The series was quickly renewed for a second season, and actors Williams and Storrie, 25, began to make headlines for their palpable onscreen chemistry and adorable offscreen friendship.

A post shared to Instagram teased Williams’ upcoming conversation with Cohen, directing fans to “listen to Hudson Williams on Andy Cohen Live tomorrow (1/8) on Radio Andy.”